Rupee ends steady on inward remittances

Reuters: The rupee ended steady on Friday in tepid trade as mild inward remittances offset dollar demand from importers, dealers said.

Rupee forwards were active, with spot-next forwards ending at 152.85/90 per dollar, unchanged from Wednesday’s close of 152.85/95.

The markets were closed on Thursday for a Buddhist religious holiday.

“The demand was there in the morning session. But the rupee ended steady as there were some inward remittances,” a currency dealer said, requesting anonymity.

The rupee has been under pressure after the Central Bank Governor said the bank would allow gradual depreciation of the currency.

The Central Bank has set a target of $1.2 billion in direct market purchases of dollars to boost the island nation’s reserves this year.

The spot rupee, which the Central Bank had fixed at 152.50 since 5 May, did not trade on Friday.

Foreign investors bought a net Rs. 740 million ($4.86 million) worth of Government securities in the week ended 31 May. They have sold a net Rs. 41.33 billion worth of securities so far this year.

Trading was dull as investors assessed the extent of damage to the economy from the recent floods and landslides.

The country’s main agricultural crops – tea and rubber – were hit by the worst torrential rains in 14 years.

Damage to agricultural exports would put pressure on the rupee, currency dealers said. Hospitality and manufacturing are likely to be the worst hit, analysts said.

However, dealers said there was some optimism over expected inflows in the form of international assistance, which could help offset potential downward pressure on the local currency.

Dealers said aid inflows could help the rupee, but the Central Bank will have to tighten interest rates to curb unnecessary credit growth and inflationary pressure.

The floods could hurt overall economic growth and also widen the Government’s budget deficit with high infrastructure spending, dealers said.